The "NOT by Styx" 30-Song Tribute Challenge

Day 1: A Song About Sailing Away: Van Morrison - Into The Mystic

Day 2: A Song About Blue Collar Men (And Women): Huey Lewis & Garth Brooks - Workin' For A Livin'

Day 3: A Song Referencing A First Time: Barenaked Ladies - Falling For The First Time

Day 4: A Song About Having Too Much Time On Your Hands: The Rolling Stones - Time Is On My Side

Day 5: A Song Commenting On Illusions: Joe Walsh - Life Of Illusion

Day 6: A Song About Pirate Booty: Kenny Rogers & The Bee Gees - Buried Treasure

Day 7: A Song About The Best Of Times: Pharrell Williams - Happy

Day 8: A Song Referencing A Lady Or Babe: Sonny & Cher - I Got You, Babe

Day 9: A Song About Showing Someone The Way: Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It

Day 10: A Song About A Performance Venue: Weather Report - Birdland

Day 11: A Song Lamenting The Need For Love: Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody

Day 12: A Song Proclaiming Everything Is Cool: The Time - Cool

Day 13: A Song About A Face Card: Juice Newton - Queen Of Hearts

Day 14: A Song About Lighting Up: Bruce Springsteen - Light Of Day

Day 15: A Song About Crystal Balls: Indigo Girls - Love Will Come To You

Day 16: A Song By A Band From Chicago: OK Go - Here It Goes Again

Day 17: A Song Indicating Nothing Ever Goes As Planned: Ben Harper - Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)

Day 18: A Song About Angry Young Men: Weird Al Yankovic - Angry White Boy Polka

Day 19: A Song About Fooling Yourself: Doobie Brothers - What A Fool Believes

Day 20: A Song About Not Letting Something End: Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop

Day 21: A Song About Long Nights: Joe Walsh - All Night Long

Day 22: A Song Whose Title Is Also That Of A Book: Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls

Day 23: A Song Asking, "Why Me?": Simon & Garfunkel - Song For The Asking

Day 24: A Song About Artificial Intelligence: Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity

Day 25: A Song About Miss America: The Kinks - Catch Me Now I'm Falling

Day 26: A Song Referencing An Equinox: Manhattan Transfer - Sing Joy Spring

Day 27: A Song About Renegades: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Rebels

Day 28: A Song Remembering Love At First Sight: Neil Diamond - I'm A Believer

Day 29: A Song Dealing With Greek Mythology: Cream - Tales Of Brave Ulysses

Day 30: A Song Hijacked For Political Purposes: Jackson Browne - Running On Empty

To the Class of 2021 ...

An open letter to the Wellington High School Speech & Debate Class of 2021 and their parents/guardians:

To quote my CPF Jerry, "What a long, strange trip it's been!”

In debate terms, that journey definitely varied from student to student. Some tooled around Palm Beach County and competed at an array of high schools. Some traveled the nation, visiting college campuses. And this year, everyone traveled from the bedroom to the kitchen to the computer. (And for our novice debaters who became part of our family this year ... I'm sorry the experience wasn't quite what you were promised during the upsell you received from fellow students your junior year.)

Your freshman year, it was Stoneman Douglas. Your junior and senior years, it was COVID-19. Your sophomore year, it was ... oh, hell if I can remember. I'm old and my brain is fried. But I'm sure SOMETHING kinda big happened that year.

And yet ... you persevered. You pushed on. You made vats of lemonade out of the millions of lemons life proverbially handed you the past four years.

And we could not be more in awe of all you accomplished.

As your speech and debate coach, I've watched you grow and mature, to take the learning opportunities handed to you and run with them. I've witnessed you work with more experienced students to learn the fundamentals, then turn around and teach those same basics to newer members of the program. I've seen you use technology and make it work for you in a positive way, and I've seen you make self-representation an art form when pushing to new heights. I've watched and heard you use your voice and speak out for both yourself and others around you who have been harmed by the injustices of the world in which they live.

Albus Dumbledore once said, "Dark times lie ahead of us, and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy ... and what is right." You have already used your voice to address the evils around us. As you embark on new adventures, I am more than positive you will continue to do so, and to make an amazing mark on everything you do and everywhere you go after Wellington. You've more than proven yourself to your family, friends, and educators. You are in a position of promise, with wide open vistas ahead of you and a wealth of experience to back you up along the way.

And remember, nothing is set; you have the ability and temperament to analyze situations and adapt accordingly. Need to switch majors? Take a gap semester or year? Transfer to a different school? Not a problem. Life is full of making adjustments, and you are more than capable of using the tools you've acquired to successfully navigate your future.

Kieran Abesamis, Devaaun Blackwood, Christopher Castro, Destiny Cortinas, Jacob Davis, Leslie Diaz, Emma Gherlan, Maddie Kaplan, Jakob Lefkowitz, Fairus Lopez, Noah Lopez, Liam MacMahon, Madison Mason, Matthew McGann, Daniel Melton, Gonzalo Pardo Zambrano, Nicholas Raney, and Jenalyn Spies ... thank you for everything. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet with each of you individually the past week, to present to you the various accolades you have earned the past two years, as well as your college-colored Red Dawn Debaters polos, to talk with you and your family members, and to bring some semblance of "closure" to the most awkward and frustrating 15-month period of our lives (individually and collectively).

Class of 2021 - It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of your world.

The "NOT by Van Halen" 30-Song Tribute Challenge

Day 1: A Song About 1984: Radiohead - 2+2=5

Day 2: A Song About Jumping: The Sugar Hill Gang - Apache (Jump On It)

Day 3: A Song About A Central American Country: Neon - Viva Guatemala

Day 4: A Song About Beautiful Girls: Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman

Day 5: A Vandellas, Kinks, or Roy Orbison Song: The Kinks - Tired Of Waiting For You

Day 6: A Song About Ice Cream: Weird Al Yankovic - I Love Rocky Road

Day 7: A Song About Teachers: Ramones - Rock 'n' Roll High School

Day 8: A Song About Being No Good: The Knack - Good Girls Don't

Day 9: A Song About Dreams: Billy Joel - The River Of Dreams

Day 10: A Song With A Kick-Ass Guitar Solo: Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison, and Prince - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Day 11: A Song About Standing On Top Of The World: The Beach Boys - Catch A Wave

Day 12: A Song About Waiting: The Jacksons - Wait

Day 13: A Song About Running With (Or Without) The Devil: Ohio Players - Running From The Devil

Day 14: A Song Whose Title Is A Number: Melissa Etheridge - 2001

Day 15: A Song About Someone Crying: Fleetwood Mac - Landslide

Day 16: A Song About Dancing The Night Away: The Cars - Shake It Up

Day 17: A Song With A Kick-Ass Drum Solo: Peter Gabriel - Rhythm Of The Heat

Day 18: A Song Wishing Someone Happy Trails: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - I've Had The Time Of My Life

Day 19: A Song About Cathedrals: Robyn Hitchcock - Cathedral

Day 20: A Song About Little (Or Big) Guitars: John Mellencamp - Play Guitar

Day 21: A Song About Love Walking In: Neil Diamond - I'm A Believer

Day 22: A Song Referencing The Best Of Both Worlds: George Michael & Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)

Day 23: A Song About Summer Nights: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves

Day 24: A Song Whose Title Reeks Of Sexual Innuendo: AC/DC - Big Balls

Day 25: A Song About Finishing What Ya Started: Traveling Wilburys - End Of The Line

Day 26: A Song About Burgers ('Cause Everybody Wants Some!): Weird Al Yankovic - Trapped In The Drive-Thru

Day 27: A Song About Right Now: Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Lights

Day 28: A Song About A Man On A Mission: Bon Jovi - It's My Life

Day 29: A Song That Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love: Prince & The Revolution - Let's Pretend We're Married

Day 30: A Song By A Band With Multiple Family Members: Cowboy Junkies - Miles From Our Home

The "NOT by Norah Jones" 30-Song Tribute Challenge

Day 1: A Song Whose Title Begins With The Letter "Y": The Beatles - Yellow Submarine

Day 2: A Song Dealing With A Cold, Cold Heart: Foreigner - Cold As Ice

Day 3: A Song Wishing For Someone To Come Away With You: Phil Phillips - Sea Of Love

Day 4: A Song About Painters Or Painting: Tom Waits - Nighthawk Postcards (From Easy Street)

Day 5: A Song Mentioning A Nightingale Or Another Bird: Rosemary Clooney - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Day 6: A Song Taking Place At Sunrise: Frank Sinatra - Sunrise In The Morning

Day 7: A Song Set In Or At A Carnival: Drive-By Truckers - The Flying Wallendas

Day 8: A Song About Someone Creeping In: The Vogues - Turn Around, Look At Me

Day 9: A Humble Song: Moxy Fruvous - King Of Spain

Day 10: A Sinking Song: Harry Chapin - Dance Band On The Titanic

Day 11: A Song Focusing On Elections: Chicago - Vote For Me

Day 12: A Song Featuring Pirates: Blues Traveler - Hook

Day 13: A Song About Waiting: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - The Waiting

Day 14: An American Anthem: Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land

Day 15: A September Or December Song: The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone

Day 16: An Ode To Man's Best Friend: The Monkees - I'm Gonna Buy Me A Dog

Day 17: A Song About Aging And The Elderly: Simon & Garfunkel - Old Friends / Bookends

Day 18: A Song About Saying Goodbye: Scandal - Goodbye To You

Day 19: A Song About Being On The Road: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band - Turn The Page

Day 20: A Song Focusing On Peace: Matisyahu - One Day

Day 21: A Song Discussing A Beautiful Friendship: Rolling Stones - Waiting On A Friend

Day 22: A Song About Sleepless Nights: The 5th Dimension - (Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All

Day 23: A Song About Nearness: Hall & Oates - So Close

Day 24: A Song Mentioning Toes (Or Other Body Parts): Allan Sherman - I See Bones

Day 25: A Song About Someone In Jail Or Prison: Was (Not Was) - Dad, I'm In Jail

Day 26: A Song About A Long Way Home: Mary Chapin Carpenter - 10,000 Miles

Day 27: A Song About Leaving A Toxic Relationship: Harry Nilsson - You're Breaking My Heart

Day 28: A Song About A Gambler: Steely Dan - Do It Again

Day 29: A Song Taking Place On A Train: Gap Band - Party Train

Day 30: A Song By A Most Unlikely Duo Pairing: Bing Crosby & David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy

The "NOT by Barenaked Ladies" 30-Song Tribute Challenge

Day 1: A Song Referencing A Big Bang: The Beastie Boys - Intergalactic

Day 2: A Song Discussing A Week: The Cure - Friday I'm In Love

Day 3: A Song About Calling Or Answering: Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone

Day 4: A Song Taking Place In An Old Apartment: Tom Petty & Stevie Nicks - The Apartment Song

Day 5: A Beach Boys Song (Bonus: By Brian Wilson!): Brian Wilson - God Only Knows

Day 6: A Song About A Wrong Man Being Convicted: Bob Dylan - Hurricane

Day 7: A Song About, By, Or Referencing Yoko Ono: Weird Al Yankovic - Achy Breaky Song

Day 8: A Song Set In Or Around The 9th Grade: Rush - Subdivisions

Day 9: A Song About Good Boys: The Manhattan Transfer - Boy From New York City

Day 10: A Song About Needing Sleep: The Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Day 11: A Song About Something Too Little, Too Late: Carole King - It's Too Late

Day 12: A Song About Being Pinched: Alison Moyet - Reassuring Pinches

Day 13: A Song Mentioning Someone Named Jane: Jefferson Starship - Jane

Day 14: A Song Taking Place On A Pirate Ship: Christopher Walken - Vengeance

Day 15: A Song About An Alternative Girlfriend: Police - Be My Girl/Sally

Day 16: A Song About The Virtues Of Alcohol: Robert Johnson - Malted Milk

Day 17: A Song With A Shakespeare Reference Of Some Sort: The Manhattan Transfer - Sing Joy Spring

Day 18: A Song About Postcards Or Travel: Lindsay Buckingham - Holiday Road

Day 19: A Song About The Contents Of A Shoe Box: Brie Larson - Shoebox

Day 20: A Song About Falling For The First Time: Lifehouse - First Time

Day 21: A Children's Song: Debbie Friedman - The Alef Bet Song

Day 22: A Song About Having A Million Dollars: Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)

Day 23: A Song Referencing Homes Or Furniture: Billy Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones - Rockin' Alone (On An Old Rocking Chair)

Day 24: A Song About Exotic Pets (Like A Llama, Or An Emu): Rolf Harris - Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport

Day 25: A Song About A K-Car, A Limo, Or Any Other Vehicle: John Travolta - Greased Lightnin'

Day 26: A Song About Mac & Cheese (Or Expensive Dijon Catsup): Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack

Day 27: A Song About (Fake Fur) Coats or (Green) Dresses: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Soundtrack - Joseph's Coat

Day 28: A Song About Some Art (A Picasso Or A Garfunkel): Harry Chapin - Flowers Are Red

Day 29: A Song About Monkeys: The J. Geils Band - Monkey Island

Day 30: A Canadian Artist, Eh?: Great Big Sea - Run, Runaway